Invitation wording

[Traveller]

ok wise people of BB, I need your help.

I am having a birthday party in December, and my original plan was to say on the invite "no gifts please" and invite people instead to donate to my friend's charity if they really wanted to give something.

However my invitation list is approaching 40 couples and I am panicking at the potential alcohol costs. I was planning on providing punch, tequilla shots and mojitos, as well as beer and wine, but I am now thinking people will have to bring some alcohol, or I will have to restrict the guest list. Can any of you wise people think of a way I could invite people, ask them to bring beer or wine if that's what they are drinking, and still collect money for charity? So far suggestions have been :

No gifts please, but feel free to bring a bottle. Donations to *insert charity* will be collected on the night for those who wish to donate.

Please BYO, there will be the option to donate to charity on the night so no additional gifts please.

Help??!!?? I have to get them printed up soon and am having nightmares already over the pesky wording.

[LimeSlice]

We used to have ****tail parties - where we would all be given a bottle to bring to make the ****tail of the night..

So perhaps you could say "There will be mojitos and punch, a bottle donation of ________ for the bar is appreciated.
In lieu of other gifts, please make a small donation to _______. "

Just write on each invite what you want the couple to bring. That way you can have each bringing a bottle of champers for the punch, or tequilla, or limes etc...?

[LimeSlice]

We used to have ****tail parties - where we would all be given a bottle to bring to make the ****tail of the night..

So perhaps you could say "There will be mojitos and punch, a bottle donation of ________ for the bar is appreciated.
In lieu of other gifts, please make a small donation to _______. "

Just write on each invite what you want the couple to bring. That way you can have each bringing a bottle of champers for the punch, or tequilla, or limes etc...?

[tellytubby]

I would probably just write,


BYO Alcohol
No gifts please. Donations to X charity can be made on the night to those willing.


BYO (bring your own) alcohol - but still put on what you want. That way they'll have a nice little surprise when they arrive

[Traveller]

thanks girls, I like your wording Tellytubby as that way the mojitos and punch will be a nice surprise, and if anything I will have too much grog (which is always a good thing)

[Marlene]

BYO Alcohol
No gifts please. Donations to X charity can be made on the night to those willing.